(CNN) - Mitt Romney will announce the backing of the Florida Republican Rep. John Mica Monday, two weeks ahead of the Sunshine State's closely-watched primary vote.

Mica represents Florida's seventh district, which includes Republican-leaning suburbs between Orlando and Daytona Beach. He serves as the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Tune in Thursday at 8 p.m. ET for the CNN/Southern Republican Presidential Debate hosted by John King and follow it on Twitter at #CNNDebate. For real-time coverage of the South Carolina primary, go to CNNPolitics.com and on the CNN apps for iPhone, iPad, Android or other phones.

In a statement announcing his support, Mica said he did not normally offer endorsements in Republican primaries.

"It has not been my practice to endorse candidates in primary elections, but as I look at the direction our country has been taken under this President, I worry for our children and our grandchildren about our future," Mica said. "And, as I look at the field of candidates in this election, no one matches the outstanding business and elected executive credentials of Mitt Romney."

Romney said Mica shared his economic vision for the country.

"I am honored to have earned Congressman Mica's trust and support," said Mitt Romney. "Like me, Congressman Mica understands that we need to cut spending, reduce government regulations and lower taxes to spur economic growth. With his help, I am confident we can spread this message across Florida and defeat President Obama in November 2012."

Florida's holds its presidential primary January 31. Mica's endorsement was first reported by Politico.

soundoff(23 Responses)

Don't get too excited Mittens....this guy is a clown that has been around WAY too LONG

January 16, 2012 09:01 am at 9:01 am |

racegirl1

Okay all of you retired people in Florida are you ready to go back to work. Romney if elected, will not try to protect your medicare/medicaid or social security. The teapubs want to get rid of these programs even though you have paid into these programs. So now is not the time to "forget" but to remember you want to keep your benefits. And for all of those close to retirement don't make the mistake of voting for Willard because you may have to die on the job. You may hate Obama but ask yourself am I willing to cut off my nose to spite my face. You would actually vote teapub to get Obama out of office and if you do you deserve all Romney will take from you.

January 16, 2012 09:08 am at 9:08 am |

Wire Palladin, S. F.

Our Canadian winter visitors have done far more for our Florida economy than any elected republican.

January 16, 2012 09:21 am at 9:21 am |

Wire Palladin, S. F.

Despite the charges of the right wingnuts, the direction the president has taken us is sure a lot better than what the republicans left us 4 years ago. We are finally recovering from an economic meltdown, a housing catastrophe, an unemployment mess, a stock market debacle, a Wall Street bailout, and a near depression.

January 16, 2012 09:24 am at 9:24 am |

The GOP opens mouth and inserts foot

Romney still hasn't produced his birth certificate. He's not eligible to run for president. He hasn't proven to anyone's satisfaction that he's even an American.

January 16, 2012 09:26 am at 9:26 am |

Luke Brown

Mica is an embarassment to Congress and to Florida. Thanks for reminding us voters what kind of supporters Mr. Mittens thinks are important.

January 16, 2012 09:30 am at 9:30 am |

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

And running a business means that you can run a government? How is this true? I know that it means that you can manage things, but the rules are different; can't fire Congress unlike a board.

January 16, 2012 09:40 am at 9:40 am |

gt

tune up the fat lady....its over...romney vs obama

January 16, 2012 09:43 am at 9:43 am |

The Real Tom Paine

Didn't CNN recently run an article talking about the limited value of endorsements?

January 16, 2012 10:12 am at 10:12 am |

Wire Palladin, S. F.

No need for a fat lady to sing, the right wingnuts have Chris Christie.

January 16, 2012 10:18 am at 10:18 am |

Anonymous

The VULTURE CAPITALISTS need to stick together for complete elimination of the middle class. the only problem cronies, President Obama in ANOTHER LANDSLIDE. Obama/Biden 2012

January 16, 2012 10:23 am at 10:23 am |

Namejkane

People in fl don't want republicans screwing around with soc sec and other social programs that they pay taxes for so their cronies on wall street can make a buck off it, time to kick out Scot and Mack and rebeio and the rest of the republican clowns before they do more damage, vote dem to protect your own interests!!!!

January 16, 2012 10:34 am at 10:34 am |

Annie, Atlanta

Honestly, does anyone pay attention to endorsements? I couldn't care less what others think about a candidate. I have a brain and can think for myself.

January 16, 2012 10:39 am at 10:39 am |

kyle

Mitt is what America needs. I am so glad he is in this race!

January 16, 2012 10:42 am at 10:42 am |

Larry L

What would ever motivate a voter to put the people who were in charge when our economy was trashed back in charge? These ere the folks who started the Iraq War – with no exit strategy. These are the guys who want to hand Social Security over to Wall Street. These same corporate lap-dogs want Medicare to become just another insurance policy with poor services and higher rates than working people can ever pay. These same Republicans worked very hard to block progress for the past three years just to gain polotical points. Think people! This is like a home contractor who ripped you off, trashed your home, tried to stop you efforts to fix it yourself, and then you choose to hire him again to clean up the mess?

January 16, 2012 10:42 am at 10:42 am |

Hair bear

Well Florida! Mittens just said he would round up all illegals and deport within ninety days after elected! He still continues to Flip Flop on social security and Medicare! That just may not effect all the rich retired folks in Florida. I was told most of them were in the 1percent! Anyway Vote! Just vote Smart!

January 16, 2012 11:21 am at 11:21 am |

Rudy NYC

Annie, Atlanta

Honestly, does anyone pay attention to endorsements? I couldn't care less what others think about a candidate. I have a brain and can think for myself.
---------------–
Glad to hear that you think for yourself. Too many people don't think for themselves. They have been indoctrinated into being told what to think for so long that they vote for whomever that they are told to vote for, even people who are steadfastly against the voter's self interests. They do not even want to think for themselves.

January 16, 2012 11:35 am at 11:35 am |

lark

Let's get on our knees about this one

January 16, 2012 11:37 am at 11:37 am |

Perry W

If anyone in Florida retirement area vote for Romney, (well all I can say is get ready to become "homeless") because you asked for it. Remember – people are corporations!

January 16, 2012 11:43 am at 11:43 am |

Larry in Houston

@Annie, Atlanta And @ rudy NYC – – You BOTH are Correct ! People think "endorsements" will help them make a decision to Vote a certain way. Pathetic isn't it ?

January 16, 2012 11:58 am at 11:58 am |

Kyle S

It's interesting reading in this article that Romney wishes to cut spending. When I go on Romney's website and look at his foreign policy/military policy, all I see is the continuation of our current nation building/aggression over seas. I'm not saying cut the military in to a useless force. How can you cut spending while at the same time fund over seas military operations with no end in sight?